Rotherham Doncaster And South Humber Nhs Foundation Trust Charitable Fund

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £901,000 (2023-24)
• Total Funds: £2.3 million
• Community Grant Range: £1,000 - £3,000
• Decision Time: Approximately 7 weeks (application to award)
• Geographic Focus: Rotherham, Doncaster, and North Lincolnshire
• Application Method: Rolling for internal applications; fixed deadline for community grants

Contact Details

Website: www.rdash.nhs.uk and yourheartsandminds.org.uk

Email: rdash.charitablefunds@nhs.net or jenny.baynham@nhs.net

Phone: 01302 796000 or 03000 212100 (Fundraising Team)

Address: Woodfield House, Tickhill Road Site, Balby, Doncaster DN4 8QN

Overview

The Rotherham Doncaster and South Humber NHS Foundation Trust Charitable Fund, now operating under the brand “Your Hearts and Minds,” was established in 1996 (registered charity number 1055641). With total funds of £2.3 million and annual charitable expenditure of £901,000, the charity supports activities, projects, education, and research that go above and beyond normal NHS funding to improve the care and experience of patients across Rotherham, Doncaster, and North Lincolnshire. The charity underwent a major rebrand in 2024, refocusing its mission around five strategic priority areas. The fund primarily supports RDaSH NHS Foundation Trust services but also operates a community grants programme requiring partnership between RDaSH employees and local voluntary sector organizations.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Community Grants Programme: £1,000 - £3,000

• Up to 30 grants available annually
• Requires joint application from RDaSH employee and local registered charity/voluntary sector organization
• Applications submitted via email with clear expenditure plan
• Assessment by panel including Charitable Funds Committee directors, VCSE representatives, and patient representatives

Internal Staff/Service Grants: Varies (examples include £634,227, £80,400, £8,400)

• Available to RDaSH staff, teams, and services
• Applications considered by Charitable Funds Committee
• Can support equipment, staff wellbeing, training, and service improvements

Major Appeals: £100,000+ (e.g., £250,000 Therapy Pool Appeal)

• Large-scale fundraising campaigns for significant infrastructure projects
• Partnership approach with community organizations

Priority Areas

The charity focuses on five key missions:

1. Supporting children and young people - enhancing services and environments for pediatric patients
2. Supporting people with physical illness, mental illness, addiction, or learning disabilities - improving care experiences and outcomes
3. Supporting community health research - driving improvements in health through research initiatives
4. Promoting education and learning - for RDaSH staff, peers, partners, and patients
5. Supporting end-of-life patient care - enhancing hospice and palliative care services

Additional funding priorities include:

• Staff wellbeing initiatives (wellbeing rooms, mental health support)
• Equipment purchases not covered by NHS budgets (exercise machines, therapy equipment)
• Environmental improvements (courtyard redevelopments, sensory spaces, dementia gardens)
• Training and professional development (dementia experience training, specialized skills)
• Community partnerships that benefit RDaSH patients and service users

What They Don't Fund

• Projects without clear links to RDaSH services or patients
• Applications from organizations without RDaSH employee partnership (for community grants)
• General charity running costs not related to RDaSH patient benefit
• Projects already covered by NHS core funding
• Organizations not properly constituted or registered

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Governance and Leadership

Corporate Trustee: Rotherham Doncaster and South Humber NHS Foundation Trust

Charitable Funds Committee:

• Pauline Vickers (Chair of Our Hearts and Minds Charity, Non-Executive Director)
• Kathryn Lavery (Trust Chair)
• Toby Lewis (Chief Executive)
• Additional board members

Pauline Vickers, Chair of the charity, has stated: “We are developing a process for larger charitable fund applications that meet charity criteria with clear links to the strategy.”

The charity works in partnership with Flourish (general manager on assessment panel) and includes patient representatives in decision-making processes, demonstrating a commitment to community-centered governance.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

For Community Grants:

1. Identify a RDaSH employee partner (mandatory requirement)
2. Ensure project aligns with one of the five funding missions
3. Develop clear expenditure plan showing community infrastructure benefits and identifiable positive impact
4. Submit application to jenny.baynham@nhs.net by stated deadline
5. Include information about your organization's registration and constitution

For Internal RDaSH Staff/Service Grants:

1. Applications received from RDaSH areas/teams
2. Submit to Charitable Funds Committee via rdash.charitablefunds@nhs.net
3. Must demonstrate benefit to RDaSH patients, service users, carers, or staff
4. Larger applications require clear links to trust strategy

Decision Timeline

Community Grants: Approximately 7 weeks from deadline to award

• Application deadline: Mid-February
• Grant announcement and issuance: Early April

Internal Grants: Rolling consideration by Charitable Funds Committee at regular meetings

Success Rates

Specific success rate data not publicly available. The 2025 community grants programme allocated £77,000 across up to 30 grants, suggesting a competitive but achievable application process for well-aligned projects.

Reapplication Policy

No specific restrictions on reapplication mentioned. Unsuccessful applicants appear able to reapply in subsequent funding rounds if they can strengthen their application and demonstrate clearer alignment with funding priorities.

Application Success Factors

Critical Requirements for Community Grants:

• Partnership is mandatory: You must have a RDaSH employee partner. Without this, your application will not be considered.
• Strategic alignment: Projects must clearly align with one of the five funding missions
• Clear budget: Provide detailed expenditure plan showing value for money
• Demonstrable impact: Show identifiable positive impact on community infrastructure and health outcomes
• Local focus: Must serve communities in Rotherham, Doncaster, or North Lincolnshire

Examples of Funded Projects:

• £250,000 therapy pool transformation into sensory space for people with learning disabilities (partnership with Choice for All Doncaster)
• £80,400 for hospice courtyard redevelopment
• £8,400 for staff wellbeing room
• £7,056 for dementia experience training
• £6,564 for exercise machine for dementia patients
• Dementia garden revamp in Doncaster

Language and Terminology:

The charity uses phrases like “above and beyond normal NHS funding,” “improving care and experience,” and “supporting our best self.” Applications should emphasize:

• How the project enhances (not replaces) NHS services
• Patient and service user benefit
• Community wellbeing and health outcomes
• Partnership and collaboration

Standing Out:

• Demonstrate strong RDaSH employee engagement and support
• Show how the project serves multiple beneficiaries or has lasting impact
• Include evidence of community need and consultation
• Align clearly with NHS values and RDaSH strategic priorities
• Consider innovative approaches to health and wellbeing challenges

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Partnership is essential: Community grants require a RDaSH employee partner - establish this relationship before applying
• Focus on enhancement: Position your project as going “above and beyond” NHS funding, not replacing it
• Align with one of five missions: Children/young people, physical/mental illness/addiction/learning disabilities, research, education/learning, or end-of-life care
• Local is key: Projects must serve Rotherham, Doncaster, or North Lincolnshire communities
• Be specific about impact: Provide clear, measurable outcomes and expenditure plans
• Consider the assessment panel: Your application will be reviewed by NHS executives, VCSE representatives, and patient representatives - speak to all these audiences
• Build relationships early: Contact the fundraising team (03000 212100) to discuss project ideas before formal application

References

• Charity Commission Register: https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?regid=1055641&subid=0
• RDaSH Annual Report and Accounts for Charitable Fund April 2023 to March 2024: https://www.rdash.nhs.uk/documents/annual-report-and-accounts-for-charitable-fund-april-2023-to-march-2024/
• Your Hearts and Minds Community Grants: https://yourheartsandminds.org.uk/your-hearts-and-minds-community-grants/
• RDaSH Our Charity Page: https://www.rdash.nhs.uk/about-us/getting-involved/our-charity/
• Doncaster Free Press: “Charity launches appeal to transform therapy pool” https://www.doncasterfreepress.co.uk/education/charity-launches-appeal-to-transform-therapy-pool-into-a-sensory-space-for-people-with-learning-disabilities-and-special-needs-in-doncaster-5190865
• Rotherham Advertiser: “£77,000 boost to community organisations” https://www.rotherhamadvertiser.co.uk/news/people/ps77000-boost-to-community-organisations-5072917